lucentis

• block the effect of the 'growth factor' VEGF that causes leakage and new vessel growth
• share similar benefits and side effects
• each injection has 1/100 risk of problems, some very serious (eg infection)
• all injections probably needed 3-4 times to treat ARMD
• injections about a month apart
• drugs not yet passed for regular NHS use by NICE
• all 3 are probably best combined with PDT laser
• 10% patients ..worse sight with treatment
• each drug is given as an injection in the eye ('intravitreal')

• to be licenced February 2007
• has the most research supporting its use
• studies suggest slightly more effective
• 40% of patients ...improve sight

• ~£600 per injection

avastin

• cheaper
• not licenced
• probably nearly as good as Lucentis

• ~£20-100 /injection
• not as much research supporting its use
• not likely to be licenced for a while

macugen

• licenced

• ~£600 per injection
• not quite as effective as Lucentis